Have been contacted by a buyer...

[magast]

In November I bought a domain name that a few months later is the name of two huge companies that have merged. (One company bought the other for over 1 billion dollars).
I then send a request to the company, offering them the domain name, and was later contactet by their Domain Administrator. He wanted to know what I thought was a fair price for the domain.
I am not experienced in the industry.
I suggested USD 15 000,-

Is that a reasonable price, or insane?

And, will the company make an offer or prepare legal action, do you think?
I bought the domain name BEFORE the companies actually merged.

Any views on this?

Best,
Magne

 

[Robert Allen]

I think $15,000 is a very fair offer.

Rob

 

[robertjr]

First, their "Domain Administrator" does not make these deals, at best he/she was being polite by replying to you. More likely though, he/she is either hoping to pick it up cheap and sell it to the company or your being set up to loose in legal proceedings, I would bet the latter. Just an FYI, if the new company name it a combination of both the original company names they still retain TM rights.

 

[magast]

Legal proceedings

First, their "Domain Administrator" does not make these deals, at best he/she was being polite by replying to you. More likely though, he/she is either hoping to pick it up cheap and sell it to the company or your being set up to loose in legal proceedings, I would bet the latter. Just an FYI, if the new company name it a combination of both the original company names they still retain TM rights.

Would you happen to know what legal proceedings might mean in this case?
Is the worst thing that could happen that I simply give them the name, or is there horror to be had?

Magne

 

[Spade]

lol, there are always worse things that can be done. My guess is your probably in the clear at this point. I would not put up any kind of parking that would optimize keywords from their industry, unless the name of the new company is just keywords.

The real question is, did you buy the name, knowing that this company was going to be formed with the sole purpose of trying to sell it to them? This is like insider trading for domain names, and I do believe they could come after you if they could prove it.

The other issue, is what is the domain? Is it generic? is it specific?

Are we talking something like - SpeakerWires.com or something like JohnJohnsonCompany.com ? You get what im asking?

Justin

 

[magast]

The name...

lol, there are always worse things that can be done. My guess is your probably in the clear at this point. I would not put up any kind of parking that would optimize keywords from their industry, unless the name of the new company is just keywords.

The real question is, did you buy the name, knowing that this company was going to be formed with the sole purpose of trying to sell it to them? This is like insider trading for domain names, and I do believe they could come after you if they could prove it.

The other issue, is what is the domain? Is it generic? is it specific?

Are we talking something like - SpeakerWires.com or something like JohnJohnsonCompany.com ? You get what im asking?

Justin

Well, I did buy it after reading an article on the merger talks, and the domain names contains of the names of both the companies, with a hyphen in between, so I guess I'm an inside trader then.
Should I give it up, maybe, before they start some legal madness?

 

[Spade]

Well, I did buy it after reading an article on the merger talks, and the domain names contains of the names of both the companies, with a hyphen in between, so I guess I'm an inside trader then.
Should I give it up, maybe, before they start some legal madness?

From the sounds of it, it sounds like youve taken both of their TMed names and simply added a hypen. My guess is they will respond with a C&D notice. I would comply with whatever they ask you to do, even if that means giving the name back to them. You may have gotten yourself into a mess if they decide to pursue this.

Justin

 

[floatingworld]

Well, I did buy it after reading an article on the merger talks, and the domain names contains of the names of both the companies, with a hyphen in between, so I guess I'm an inside trader then.
Should I give it up, maybe, before they start some legal madness?

...no, no need...
...it might be simpler for them to just buy you off.
...just wait for the next step in this story which is their response...
...you did the right thing and did not ask for silly money...they might pay more in legal fees just to threaten you so a little windfall might come your way...odds 50/50 but be prepared to walk away if it all goes belly-up...

 

[nRnF]

Well, I did buy it after reading an article on the merger talks, and the domain names contains of the names of both the companies, with a hyphen in between, so I guess I'm an inside trader then.
Should I give it up, maybe, before they start some legal madness?

Under those circumsdances, there is likely no chance you can get away with this if they decide to act.

I suggested USD 15 000,-
Is that a reasonable price, or insane?

I would call 200000% ROI in 3 month for a "insider" quite decent - LOL

 

[scandiman]

If you gambled a reg fee on this situation I think you are a very bright domainer. As was already mentioned, since you didn't ask for silly money, the lawyers would probably cost them more than simply buying it from you. Please keep us posted.

 

[magast]

Act

Under those circumsdances, there is likely no chance you can get away with this if they decide to act.


I would call 200000% ROI in 3 month for a "insider" quite decent - LOL

I'm just curios about how they would act if they did.
Will they simply just be happy with getting the name, or can they make my life hell somehow?
I'm not keen on getting into some legal thing over the 8 dollars I spent.

Anybody heard of similar cases in the past, and the results of those?

 

[kev]

i have a feeling you might get away with this, but there has been plenty of occasions where Tm'ed companies set a trap, like asking for a price, to use as evidence to show you were squatting on the name, thus making it easier for them to get the name if you were to stand in there way

anyway...let us know how everything works out!

 

[S-L-O-W]

I hope youre're not referring to the State Street/Investor's Bank & Trust Merger. And initiating an offer for something that is more likely TM violation is stupid- Domain 101.

 

[magast]

No

I hope youre're not referring to the State Street/Investor's Bank & Trust Merger. And initiating an offer for something that is more likely TM violation is stupid- Domain 101.

No, that's not the one.

 

[Modmedia]

Out of intrests sake what is the domain?

 

[magast]

The domain

Out of intrests sake what is the domain?

It's ...............................

For sale at Sedo and Godaddy.

I'm sure what I have written in this forum might have found its way to ....... anyhow, so there you have it.
I don't like having worries, and will most likely contact them to hinder any legal attack.
TM and such, best not to be messed with, I guess.

 

[Modmedia]

Ah, thanks!

Good luck!

 

[verbster]

In this kind of situation, despite what you think of this thread getting back to anyone, never post the domain name with all of your admissions and comments about it.

I'd go back right now and edit the domain name out. Even though you or others may think things are stacked against you, why hang yourself when you truly haven't seen the next move?

 

[Spade]

In this kind of situation, despite what you think of this thread getting back to anyone, never post the domain name with all of your admissions and comments about it.

I'd go back right now and edit the domain name out. Even though you or others may think things are stacked against you, why hang yourself when you truly haven't seen the next move?

Excellent Advise.

 

[wot]

Simply wait and see.

Take action appopriate to any responses. You may gain, worst case you can give it to them. I have a similar situation ongoing.